Acoustic and cinematographic apparatus



Dec. 3, 1935. A. A. THOMAS A ACOUSTIC AND CINEMATOGRAPHIC APPARATUS Filed Nov. '16, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 3, 1935. A. A. THOMAS ACOUSTIC AND CINEMATOGRAPHIC APPARATUS 4 Shets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 16, 1929 Dec. 3, A A T MA 2,022,902

ACOUSTIC AND CINEMATOGRAPHIC APPARATUS Filed Nov. 16, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR flaw w d.

Patented Dec. 3, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ACOUSTIC AND CINEMATOGBAPHIC APPARATUS Adolph A. Thomas, New York, N. Y., assignor to Radio Corporation of America, a corporation oi Delaware This invention relates in general tothe art of talking movies, and its principal object is to provide a self-contained cabinet for projecting motion pictures accompanied by sound. The various features of novelty that characterize my invention render the same particularly useful in the home, although certain parts of the invention are equally well adapted for the exhibitio of talking films in theaters.

In talking pictures using the phonographic method of sound reproduction, the synchronization is frequently upset by the needle jumping the record track. I guard against this mishap by providing a positive drive for the pickup arm, so

that the needle point is not merely guided by gravity through the spiral sound groove, but is independently actuated by a correctly timed connection from the motor shaft. In this way the pickup stylus is held at all times to its proper 90 course in synchronism with the picture. Even if the needle should happen to jump out of the groove, as by striking an obstruction in the record, it could not swing laterally but would instantly drop back into the same groove. The pickup arm :5 may be pivoted for swinging movement across the records, or it may be slidably mounted on a screwthreaded shaft. In either case I provide means for readily disconnecting the arm from its driving connection, so that the needle can in- 30 stantly be placed in any point of the sound track. This separable driving connection also permits manual movement of the pickup to starting position.

Another feature of my invention comprises a a manually operable resynchronizer for quickly bringing the sound and picture back to synchronism during the running of the film whenever the correct relation of the two has been disturbed for one reason or another. In talking pictures 40 where the sound is recorded separately from the picture film, either on phonograph records or on sound fihns, the projector shaft and reproducer shaft are operated at the correct speed from a single motor. This makes it practically impossi- 45 ble for those two shafts to get out of step. However, it sometimes happens that the sound and the picture are not started in perfect synchronism, as when the stylus point is not placed in correct starting position on the phonograph record. Then go again, a picture film that has been synchronized with a separatesound record is frequently changed in length by cutting out certain portions or inserting others. The most common causes of shortening a synchronized length of film are the removal I of worn-out sections in the picture and the splicing of the broken ends of a ruptured film. At the present time thereis no way of changing the length of sound track in a record synchronized with a given length of picture film, so that any alteration in the latter is bound to destroy the syn- 5 chronism at some point during the projection of the picture. Right here is where my invention provides a quick and easy remedy: the operator need only move a convenient finger piece to speed up or slow down (as required) the film-driving 1 shaft until picture and sound are again in synchronism. This adjustment is so simple that a child can do it.

In a preferred form of my invention, the phonographic mechanism can also be used with- 15 out a film and operated like a simple phonograph. Or, the film projector can be used independently of the sound reproducer to run a silent picture. These different operations are brought about by merely pushing certain buttons on a front panel of the cabinet. I may also make provisions for playing the new low-speed records in addition to the regular records that run at about 78 revolutions per minute. The low-speed records are played at 33 revolutions per minute, and have the advantage of greatly increased acoustic capacity. By operating a button or other finger piece, the speed of the turntable shaft is automatically adjusted for either type of record. The sound-reproducing system in my new cabinet may also be connected with a radio receiver by simply plugging the output terminals of the receiver into a jack on the cabinet.

The foregoing and other novel features and practical advantages of my invention will be understood from a description of the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 illustrates a self-contained talking movie cabinet constructed for home use in accordance with my invention; 1

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view of the cabinet;

Fig. 3 shows an enlarged transverse section on the broken line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a detached detail view of a speed regulator for the turntable shaft; Fig. 5 is a section on line 55 of Fig. 3 and represents an enlarged plan view of the driving connections for the operating shafts of the film projector and phonograph turntable, certain parts being in section for clearness;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the turntable and pickup arm, a portion of the motorboard being broken away to show the driving connections for the pickup arm;

Figs. 7 and 7a are enlarged detached views, 66

partly in section, of the mounting and separable driving connection for the pickup arm, Fig. 7a showing the parts in normal position and Fig. 7 showing the pickup arm disconnected from its driving shaft;

Fig. 8 is a front view of the switch panel on the cabinet (see Fig. 1);

Fig. 9 is a combined plan view of the various driving connections and a diagram of circuits for controlling the apparatus;

Fig. 10 illustrates in plan a modified arrangement for supporting and operating the pickup arm;

Fig. 11 is a side view on line of Fig. 10;

. Fig. 12 is a section on line |2|2 of Fig. 10 to show certain details of gear connections; and

Figs. 13 and 14 (on' Sheet 2) are enlarged side and rear views of the mounting and screwq-shaft drive of the pickup arm used in the modification of Figs. 10-12.

The operating mechanism is mounted in a cabinet III of suitable design and dimensions. The front of the cabinet has a pair of doors l2 and I3 hinged at their outer edges and when closed constituting the outer front wall of' the cabinet. Behind the left door I2 is a motion picture screen I4 and a switch panel l5. The right door |3 gives access to a motion picture projector indicated as a whole by P. The top of cabinet I0 is at least in part formed by a hinged lid I6 which normally covers a phonographic turntable and reproducer. The back wall ll of cabinet I0 may consist wholly or partly of a panel I8 supported for easy removal and replacement. As

seen in Fig. 3, the lower edge of panel I8 rests in a groove i3, while its upper edge is retained in a recess 20 which permits the lower edge of the panel to be lifted out of the groove. The panel l8 may have openings 2| for the escape of sound and heat from the interior of the cabinet.

The inside of cabinet l0 constitutes a chamber or compartment 22 which extends practically across the entire cabinet. The light from projector P is directed to screen I 4 by mirrors 23, 24 and 25 arranged at the proper angle and supported in suitable frames or otherwise. The light path is diagrammatically indicated by the dashdot lines 26. No part of the interior mechanism extends into the path of the projecting rays, as will be clear from Figs. 2 and 3,'where the dotted outline 25' represents the cross-sectional area of the picture in the plane 3-3 of Fig. 2. The screen I4 is made of any material suitable for exhibiting pictures by transmitted light, such as ground glass, cheesecloth, thin white silk and others that may be found practical. The size of the screen is commensurate with the magnification of the film. If the projector P is designed for 16 mm. film, the screen ought not to be larger than 3 x 5 feet for a good reproduction,

and should preferably be smaller for the best results. On account of the arrangement of pro jector P and the reflecting mirrors 23, 24 and 25, it is possible to obtain a maximum length of path for the light rays between projector and screen. As seen in Fig. 2, the length of the projection path is considerablygreater than the length of cabinet I0. Since the projector P and screen M are fixed in permanent relative position, no adjustment of those parts is necessary. The screen I4 is preferably built into the cabinet as a permanent part thereof, but it may be mounted on 9. removable frame, if desired. In Fig. 2 the screen I4 is mounted between a corner post 21 of the. cabinet and an upright 28. The ornamental grille 29 above and below the screen l4 permits the passage of sound from a suitable loud speaker 30 in the cabinet.

In the present instance the loudspeaker 30 is I supposedto be of the electrostatic type, which may be built as a fiat structure mounted on the bottom board 3| of the cabinet. In fact, several condenser speakers may be mounted on board 3|, because there is sufficient room for that purpose, m and they do not extend into the path of the projected picture. Since the sound generated by the loudspeaker diaphragm or diaphragms passes into the outer air through grille 29, and perhaps also through the screen |4 itself (if the latter is 1| of thin porous fabric), the resultant effect produced on the hearers is that of sound issuing directly from the figures in the picture. The loudspeaker 30 may also be open to the outer air through sound openings in the back panel l8, g

, and it is possible to arrange the diaphragm face downward and directly exposed to the outer air through an opening in the bottom of the cabinet. The chamber 22 tends to amplify the sound before it issues into the outer air. The large mirror 2: 25 is preferably arranged to close ofi the space 32 entirely, so that the same will not act as a trap or pocket for sound waves. The space 32 need not be left empty, but may be used as a storage chamber for phonograph records and a film reels. In that case, the left side 33 of the cabinet would be hinged to give access to chamber 32. It will be noticed in Fig. 2 that the mirror 25 also acts to direct sound waves through grille 23 and screen l4, if the latter is acoustically pera vious.

Referring to Fig. 3, it will be noticed that the cabinet l0 has a top board 34 which forms a shallow chamber 35 with the hinged lid IS. The top board 34 need only extend across the right half of the cabinet, and the lid l6 covers only the shallow chamber 35, which contains a phonograph turntable 36 and reproducing mechanism operatively associated therewith. The turntable 33 is mounted on the upper end of a vertical rotary shaft 31, which extends through the top board 34 and is supported at its lower end in a suitable bearing mounted on the bottom board 3|. The upper end of shait 31 carries a bevel pinion 38, which meshes at one side with a bevel pinion 33 and at the opposite side with a large bevel gear 40. The bevel pinion 39 drives a centrifugal governor 4| of usual construction, which is so well known that no detailed description thereof is required. I need only say that the speedregulating action of governor 4| is controlled by a lever 42 pivoted at 43 and adapted to be operated. by a cam 44. A knob or other finger piece 45 (see Fig. 6) on top board 34 is adapted to rotate cam 44 for adjusting the position of lever 42, which is constantly held against the cam by a light coil spring 46. If the turntable shaft 31 is driven by an electric motor provided with a rheostat or other electric means for controlling its speed, the centrifugal governor 4| may (and a usually will) be omitted; but even then it may be used as a steadying load onshaft 31, especially when the machine is used as a phonograph alone.

' The bevel gear 40 is fixed on a shaft 41 which is supported at its ends in brackets 48 and 43 70 depending from the underside of the top board 34. The brackets 43 and 43 may be cast integral with a supporting plate [I attached to the top board 34 in any-practical way. The bracket 43 has a bearing II which supports a vertical stud shaft 52. The lower end of stud shaft 52 carries with it the arm 18 and pickup H. The trans a large gear 53 arranged permanently in mesh with a worm or spiral pinion 54,.which is secured on one end of shaft 41. The upper end of stud shaft 52 carries a block 55 provided with a friction recess 56 adapted to receive a correspondinglyshaped plug 51, which is fixed to the lower end of a vertically movable shaft 58. When the plug 51 is firmly seated in recess 56, as shown in Fig. 7a, the aligned shafts 52 and 58 are coupled for simultaneous rotation. An expanding coil spring 59 on shaft 58 holds the bevel plug 51 in tight frictional engagement with the wall of recess 56, so that no slipping is possible between shafts 52 and 58. For this purpose the engaging surfaces of recess 56 and plug 51 may be finely grooved or otherwise roughened to lock the parts together. The shaft 58 extends through a rotary sleeve 68 mounted in a hollow casing 6|, which is rigidly attached to top board 34 by screws or bolts 62. These fastening devices may engage the metal plate'58, as shown in Figs. 7 and 7a, whereby the mounting of easing 6| is facilitated. Ball bearings 63 may be used for obtaining a smooth and easy movement of sleeve 68.

As best shown in Figs. 7 and 7a, the upper end of shaft 58 extends through a head or block 64 rigidly attached to the rotary sleeve 68, or cast integral therewith. The upper projecting end 58 of shaft 58 carries a cross-pin 65 for pivotally supporting a cam plate 66, which is operated by means of a handle 61. The cam plate 66 is preferably a U-shaped plate arranged to straddle the projecting end 58 of shaft 58, whereby a more rigid structure is obtained. "A cross-pin 68 on shaft 58 extends at one or both ends into one or two axial slots 69 in sleeve 68, whereby the shaft and sleeve are permanently coupled for simultaneous rotation. At the same time, the pin andslot connection 68--69 permits vertical movement of shaft 58 through sleeve 68. When the handle 6'! of cam plate 66 is vertical, the shafts 52 and 58 are coupled together through the friction clutch 565l, as shown in Fig. 7a. When the handle 61 is pushed back into horizontal position (see Fig. '7), the shaft 58 is lifted to disengage the plug 51 from the clutch wall of recess 56, whereby the shaft 58 is disconnected from the driving shaft 52. I

The block or head 64 of the rotary sleeve 68 supports an arm 18 which carries an electric pickup H of any approved type and construction. The pickup H is pivoted to arm 18 at 12, so that it can be thrown back for easy insertion of a needle, as indicated by the dotted outline II in Fig. 3. The supporting arm 18, which is incapable of vertical movement, is rigidly attached to the head 64 in any practical way, as by screwthreads or a set-screw, or perhaps merely by means of a tight frictional fit. If the arm 18 is a hollow tube, it may be used to hide (in part at least) the electrical conductors for pickup 1|. The weight of arm 18 is not communicated to the needle in pickup 1|, because of the hinged connection 12 which allows the necessary up and down movement of the pickup as a whole during the playing of a record. The hinged connection I2 is such that lateral movement of the pickup casing with respect to the. supporting arm 18 is prevented. In other words, the short extension 13 of pickup H is in effect a rigid extension of arm 18 for the lateral travel of the stylus across the record. When the shafts 52 and 58 are connected by clutch 56-51, as previously explained, the sleeve 62 is rotatedhorizontally and carries mission connection between the turn-table shaft 31 and arm 18 is such that the stylus point of the pickup is propelled radially across a rotating I record at a speed that holds the point safely in the spiral sound groove. In Figs. 3 and 6, the record on turntable 36 is indicated diagrammatically by the numeral 14, and the dotted line 15 in Fig. 6 indicates approximately the pathof the stylus point across the record. The line 15 is an are with the axis of shaft 58 as the center, which means the pivotal axis of arm 18.

It will be clear from the above description that the pickup H is actuated positively across the turntable, so that the stylus point can not become laterally displaced with respect to the record groove during the playing of the machine. This positive feed of the stylus point across the record insures the synchronism of sound and picture when the machine is operated as a talking movie, as will presently be explained. When it is desired to free the pickup arm 18 from the actuating shaft 52, it is only necessary to push down the handle 61, whereby the clutch connection 56-51 is broken, as shown in Fig. 7. In the actual machine, the vertical movement of shaft 58 need only be a small fraction of an inch, because all that is necessary is to move the clutch member 51 slightly away from the surface of recess 56. In Fig. '7 I have purposely exaggerated the movement of shaft 51 to promote clearness in the drawings.

Referring to Fig. 5, the turntable shaft 31 is geared'to an electric motor I6 mounted on the bottom board 3| in chamber 22. The motor shaft 16' carries a bevel gear 11 in mesh with a bevel gear 18 fixed on a shaft 19 which is supported in bearings 88. The bevel gear 11 is not fixed to the motor shaft 16', but is loosely mounted thereon. The clutch means by which the gear I1 is coupled to shaft 16' will be described in due course. A shaft 8| supported in bearings 82 has a worm or spiral sleeve 83 meshing with a worm gear 84 fixed on the lower end of shaft 31. The bearings 88 and 82 of the two parallel counter-shafts l9 and 8| may be carried by brackets 85 projecting from a base plate 86, which is rigidly secured to the bottom board 3| in any pratical way. The parts 88, 82, 85 and 86 may be a single casting of aluminum or other suitable metal. A small pinion 81 fixed on shaft 8| meshes with a large pinion or gear wheel 88 mounted loosely on shaft 19, and a gear wheel or large pinion 89 fixed on shaft 8| engages a small pinion 98 also mounted loosely on shaft 19. A slidable clutch sleeve 9| is keyed to shaft 19 between the loose gear members 88 and 98, which are provided with teeth 92 adapted to engage similar teeth 93 at the opposite ends of clutch sleeve 9|. A lever 94 pivoted on a stud 95 has a pair of arms 96 engaging in a groove 91 of clutch member 9|. The arms 96 usually terminate in a pair of rollers that enter groove 91 at diametrically opposite points, in accordance with old practice. The clutch-operating lever 94 has a 85 magnetic armature extension 98 arranged between a pair of electromagnets 99 and I88, which may conveniently be supported on a U-shaped bracket I8| (see Fig. 3) secured to the bottom board 3 I. The armature extension 98 may either be integral wi h lever 94, or it may be a separate magnetic piece attached to the lever.

When the electromagnet 99 is energized, the clutch member 9| is shifted into locking en-i gagement with gear 88, so that the motor shaft 16' is connected to the turntable shaft 31 through the speed-increasing gears 88 and 81. When the electromagnet I is energized, the clutch member 9| is shifted into engagement with pinion 90,

n so that the electric motor is geared to the turntable shaft. 31 through the speed-reducing gears 90 and 89. Assuming that the electric motor 16 operates at a predetermined speed, the gear connection 88-81 drives the turntable shaft 31 for playing standard records at approximately 78 revolutions per minute. When the shaft 31 is driven through the reducing gears 90-89, the turntable rotates at a speed of approximately 33 revolutions per minute for playing the socalled low-speed records that are sometimes used in connection with talking movies. The speedselecting electromagnets 99 and I00 are controlled by push buttons located on the front switch panel I5, as will later be explained more fully. The clutch lever 94 is held in either position by a spring arm I02 attached to frame IOI. The free end of arm I02 is in the form of a bevelled cam or offset I03 arranged to press against either side of armature 98. The offset I03 is so shaped that it is moved out of the way by the free end of armature 98- to permit operation of lever 94. Any other practical means may be used for holding the clutch member 9I firmly in engagement with either one of the associated gears 88 and 90. v

Still referring to Fig. 5, it will be seen that the motor shaft 16 carries a pair of clutch sleeves I05 and I06 adapted to be independently oper ated by levers I01 and I08 respectively. The preceding description of the connection between lever 94 and clutch sleeve 9I is applicable to the connections between levers I01-I 08 and their respective clutch sleeves I05I06. The clutch levers I01 and I08 are pivoted on studs I09 carried by a frame I III, which also supports three electromagnets I I2, I I3 and I I4. The two outer electromagnets H2 and I I4 may be attached to the vertical ends of frame I I0, while the middle electromagnet H3 is secured by a strap H5. The clutch lever I01 has an armature II6 arranged to extend between the electromagnets H2 and H3, while the other clutch lever I08 has an armature II1 extending between the two electromagnets H3 and I I4. Spring arms I I8 attached to frame I I0 hold the levers I01 and I08 in either position, as previously explained in connection with clutch lever gI I9--I06 is indicated by interlocking clutch teeth I2I. The coupling of clutch sleeve I05 to bevel gear 11 connects the motor shaft 16 with the turntable shaft 31. When the clutch sleeve I06 is connected to shaft I20, the motion picture projector P is operated, as I am about to explain in detail. Hence, the energization of electromagnet II3 causes the machine to operate as a talking movie. When the electromagnet H2 is energized to disconnect the clutch sleeve I05 from gear 11, the electric motor 16 drives only the projector-operating shaft I20, so that the machine proiects the picture without the sound-reproducing mechanism. To operate the machine as a phonograph without the projector, it isonly necessary to energize the electromagnet I which disconnects the clutch sleeve I06 from shaft I20 and leaves the other clutch I05 in engagement with the bevel gear 11.

It is not intended that the electromagnets H2 5 and H4 shall be energized at the same time. When the electromagnet I I2 is energized to operate only the projector, the clutch sleeve I05 is shifted to the left (as viewed in Fig. 5). If the other clutch sleeve I06 should previously have been left out of engagement with the clutch end 9 of shaft I20, the left end of clutch I05 will strike the adjacent end of clutch sleeve I06 and move the latter into engagement with shaft I20.

A similar operation takes place when the clutch 15 sleeve I06 is shifted to the right. In that case, if the clutch sleeve I05 has previously been left out of engagement with gear 11, the right end of clutch sleeve I06 will strike the adjacent end of clutch sleeve I05 to connect the motor shaft 16' 20 with the turntable shaft 31. This arrangement, whereby either clutch member I05 and I06 actuates the other, insures the proper connections when the electromagnets H2 and H4 are separately energized. When the central electromagnet H3 is energized to operate the machine as a talking movie, whichever clutch sleeve I05 and I06 was previously left in an inoperative position will be moved into engagement with its associated clutch member 11 and II9.

The motion picture projector P, which may be of any approved construction, has a shaft I22 operatively connected to the film-driving sprockets in the projector. Since projectors have become more or less standardized and are available in the market in various makes, styles and sizes,

it will not be necessary to show or describe any structuraldetails of the mechanism. For convenience I shall refer to shaft I22 as the projector shaft, which sets the apparatus in operation for projecting the film on screen I4. The shaft I22 projects into a casing I23 mounted on the bottom board 3 I. A removable top plate I24 per mits ready access to the interior of casing I23.

A small electric motor I25 has a driving worm or 5 spiral I26 arranged in mesh with a small gear or pinion I21 fixed on a shaft I28, which is rotatably mounted in bearing I29 of easing I23. The shafts I22 and I28 are in axial alignment and support a differential gear assembly comprising a frame I30 which carries a bevel gear I3I and-a pair of bevel pinions I32. A bolt or pin I33 extending through frame I30 acts as a common shaft for pinions I32. The bevel gear I3I is secured to one. end of frame I30 by screws I34 or otherwise; The frame I30 is loosely mounted on shaft I22 and the bevel gear I3I is loose on shaft I28, so that the differential gear assembly is supported jointly by those two shafts for independent rotation. The adjacent ends of shafts I22 and 0 I28 carry bevel pinions I35 and I36, which are secured to the shafts and mesh with the differential pinions I 32. The bevel gear I3I engages a bevel gear I31 fixed on the inner end of the rotary shaft I20 which is journalled in a bearing I38 5 projecting from casing I23.

The operation of the differential gear assembly described in the preceding paragraph is as follows: The shaft I28 and bevel pinion I36 are normally stationary, so that the rotation of bevel gear I31 on shaft. I20 is transmitted to bevel gear I3I and frame I30. Since the bevel pinion I38 is stationary, the bevel pinions I32 of the rotating frame I30 are rotated about their common pivot I33 and thereby rotate the bevel pin- 5 field at the correct speed, so that picture and sound are in synchronism when the machine is operated as a talking movie. When it is desired to change the normal speed of projector shaft I22, the electric motor I25 is energized to operate shaft I28 in one direction or the other, depending upon whether the projector shaft is to be rotated faster or slower than normal speed. It is assumed that the electric motor I 25 is reversible by changing the direction of current flow through the motor windings, but the operation of shaft I28 in either direction may also be obtained by reversible driving connections with the motor shaft. When the differential shaft I28 is operated in the same direction as frame I30, the speed of rotation of the bevel gears I32 about their common pivot I33 is reduced, and that means a corresponding decrease in the speed of projector shaft I22. When the shaft I28 is rotated in the opposite direction to gear I3I, the rotational speed of bevel pinions I32 is increased with a corresponding increase in the speed of projector shaft I22. Since the function of motor I 25 is to bring the picture into synchronism with the accompanying sound, I shall refer to that motor as the synchronizing motor and the shaft I28 may be called the synchronizing shaft. The operation of motor I25 is controlled by a pair of push buttons, one for speeding up the picture and the other for slowing it down.

I shall now describe the circuit connections for controlling the various electromagnetic clutches heretofore mentioned and the synchronizing motor I25. Referring to Fig. 9, the main driving motor 16 is connected by conductors I39 and I40 to a pair of service mains I and I42 which extends from a plug I43 adapted to be inserted in a house-lighting socket. A suitable switch I39 is included in conductor I39, and a main power switch I44I45 is inserted in supply lead I42. For convenience I have diagrammatically indicated the main switch by a pivoted lever I44 and a stationary contact I45. An insulated finger piece I46 projects through a slot I41 in switch panel I5 (see Fig. 8) for moving the switch member I44 to on and 01T positions. The operating handle of motor switch I39 extends through a slot I40 at the bottom of panel I5. At the present time, the most popular type of switches are the so-called toggle or snap-over switches, which give a quick make and break. The three electromagnets H2, H3 and H4 are'connected at one side by conductors I48, I49 and I50 to a common conductor I5I, which goes to the service main I42. A conductor I52, which is connected to the service main I H by a conductor I53, has three parallel branches I54, I55 and I56. Con ductors I51, I58 and I59 connect one side of electromagnets H2, H3 and I I4 to movable switch arms I60,,I6I and I62, respectively. The branch conductors I54, I55 and I56 terminate in stationary contacts arranged to be engaged by the movable switch arms I60, I6I and I62, which are indicated merely in a diagrammatic way. The switch board or panel I5 has three insulated push buttons I63, I64 and I65,-which are connected to (or otherwise operate) the switch arms I60, I6I and I62, respectively. If necessary, a suitable rectifier I66 may be inserted in conductors I5I and I53 for feeding direct current through the coils of electromagnets H2, H3 and H4. I

arms I10 and "I.

Still referring to Fig. 9, one side of electromagnets 99 and I is connected to a conductor I61 which leads to conductor I5I. Two branches I88 and I69 of'conductor I52 terminate in sta-' tionary contacts associated with movable switch The other side of electromagnet I 00 is connected by a conductor I12 to switch arm I10, and the other side of electromagnet 99 is conducted by a conductor I13 to switch arm I1I. The two switch arms I and HI which may be simply spring blades normally in open position, may conveniently be actuated by push buttons I14 and I mounted on switch panel I5. The synchronizing motor I25 is shown here as a reversible motor connected to the houselighting mains HI and I42 by conductors I16, I11 and I18. If necessary, a suitable current rectifier I19 may be employed to operate the motor I 25 on direct current. Conductors I16 and I18 are connected to switch contacts I60 and I8I which cooperate with a pair of movable switch arms I82 and I83, respectively. These switch arms may be in the form of spring blades held normally in open position by their inherent tension and arranged on opposite sides of an insulated switch lever I84 pivoted at I85. A light coil spring I86 normally holds the lever I84 in neutral position out of engagement with either switcharm I82 and I83. A knob or other suitable finger piece I81 projecting through a slot I 88 in panel I5 serves as a convenient means for moving the lever I84 to close either of the switches I80---I82 and I8 II83. It is understood that, when the switch I80-I82 is closed, the motor I 25 operates the differential shaft I28 in a direction to increase the normal speed of the projector shaft I22, so that the picture can be speeded up until it reaches synchronism with the sound record. When the finger piece I81 is moved to the left to close the switch I8II83, the direction of rotation of motor I25 and shaft I 28 is reversed to decrease the normal speed of the projector shaft I22.

The electric phonograph pickup H is operatively connected to an amplifier I89 by conductors I90, I9I and I92. The amplifier I89 is operatively connected to the loudspeaker 30 mounted in cabinet I0, this connection being diagrammatically indicated by conductors I89a to I89d. Conductors I89a and I89b carry the field current or polarizing potential for. the loudspeaker, while conductors I89c and I89d are connected in the talking circuit of the loudspeaker. The ampli fier mechanism I89 derives power from houselighting circuit I4I--I42 through conductors I93, I94 and I95. If the source of current is alternating, a suitable rectifier I96 may be interposed to send direct current through the amplifier I89. It will not be necessary to show or describe any specific system for amplifying the feeble electric impulses of pickup H to operate loudspeaker 30, because amplifying systems of various types are well known in the art of radio receivers and electric phonographs. Such systems usually include one or more vacuum tubes and are well understood by those skilled in the art. For this reason I have deemed it suiiicient to indicate a suitable amplifying system by the diagrammatic outline I89. The loudspeaker 30 may be of the flat condenser type, as heretofore mentioned, but it can be an ordinary cone speaker operated either by a moving coil (the so-called electrodynamic type) or by a vibratory armature.

In the present instance I have provided switch mechanism for connecting the amplifier I89 and contacts 203 and 204 respectively, and the two' conductors I92 and I94 are connected to a pair of insulated switch arms 205 and 205. These two switch arms may be mounted as a single rotary arm with two insulated end portions. A rotary knob or other suitable finger piece 201 mounted on panel I5 is adapted to operate the switch arms 205 and 208 for connecting either a radio receiver or a phonograph record to the v loudspeaker 30. When the switch arms 205 and 206 engage contacts 203 and 204 respectively, the circuit of pickup H is closed through the amplifier and loudspeaker. When the knob 201 is turned counterclockwise to connect the switch arms 205 and 206 with contacts 200 and 202, the pickup circuit is broken and the radio leads I98 and I99 are connected to amplifier I89 and loudspeaker 30. If the radio receiver is of a type that does not require the additional amplifier I89, the'radio leads I98a and I09a; are connected directly to the loudspeaker conductors I890 and I89d. The radio receiver may be housed in cabinet I0 or located at a distance. In a simplified form of my invention the radio-record switch knob 201 may be omitted, in which case the conductors I9I and I92 wouldbe a single conductor, and the same would apply to conductors I93 and I94.

The switch panel i5 also has a knob 208 for controlling the volume of loudspeaker 30. I have purposely omitted the volume-controlling circuits {mm Fig. 9, because they form no part of my invention and are well understood by those familiar with radio circuits. A small signal lamp 209 on panel I5 is automatically lighted when the switch member I46 is moved to on position. A resistance 2"] may be inserted to cut down. the house-lighting voltage to that required by lamp 209. A colored lens will usually be mounted on panel I5 iniront of the lamp, so that the operator may receive a bright visual signal to let him know that the main operating circuit is on. The switch arm I44 controls not only the circuit of driving motor 16, but all other circuits of the apparatus. In other words, when the tinger piece I45 on panel I5 is in off position, the operator is assured that all circuits are open. The open condition of the circuits is further indicated by the fact that the lamp 209 is out. Such electric devices as the motion picture pro-= jector P may contain are connected to the service mains I and M2 by cond ctors 2.

The operation of my tal ng movie cabinet will be understood from the foregoing description, but 6 I may summarize it in a couple of paragraphs by referring to Figs. 8 and 9. Let us suppose that the machine is to be used for projecting a talking picture. After the film has been loaded in the projector and the stylus of the pickup 70 placed in correct starting position on a record, the main switch on panel it is moved to on position. This connects the apparatus with the power supply leads tilt-842, and lights the signal lamp 209, but it does not start the driving (5- motor 15 because the switch 539' is still open;

The next thing the operator does is to push the button I64 marked Talking movie", whereby the electromagnet I I3 is energized for connecting the motor shaft 15 to bevel gears 11 and I31. The

button I6 4, like all the other push buttons on 5 panel I5, need be pushed in for only a second. The proper driving connections being thus assured, the operator now closes the motor switch- I39' to start the record on turntable 36 and the film in projector P. There should be no diflll0 culty in starting the picture and phonograph in synzhronism, because it is customary for the manufacturer to mark the starting points on records and films. When the end of the talking picture is reached, the motor is stopped by opening either 15 the motor switch I39 or the main switch I46. It is also possible to provide automatic stopping mechanism, such as I have shown and described in a pending application, but thatforms no part of the present invention. To project a silent 20 film, button I63 marked Picture only is pushed in, whereby the electromagnet H2 is energized to disconnect the turntable shaft 31 and connect the projector shaft I22 to motor 15. When the switch button I65 marked "Record only is 25 pushed in, the electromagnet H4 is energized to disconnect the projector shaft I22 and connect the turntable shaft 31 with the driving motor, so that the machine operates as a simple phonograph. In this case, the handle 51 (see Fig. '1) 3075- may be pushed back to disconnect the pickup arm 10 from shaft 52, whereby the pickup H is fed across the record by gravity in the usual way. Since the machine will ordinarily be in condition to play the standard-speed records intended 35 to operate at '78 revolutions per minute, no attention need be paid to the speed-changing buttons I14 and Il5. When a low-speed record is used, the button 815 is pushed in to energize the electromagnet I00. 40 As I said before, there should be no difficulty in starting the film and record in perfect synchro-'. nism, but if a wrong start should be made, it is quickly corrected by simply moving the switch member I81 to one side or the other. It is easy to tell whether the picture is running ahead of the record or behind it, so that the operator either speeds up the picture by moving the switch I81 to the right, or slows the picture down by shifting the switch to the left. As soon as he observes 59 that the picture and record are running even, he releases the switch button I0l which instantly snaps back to neutral position. This resynchronizing operation is resorted to at any time during the running of the talking film when the synchronism has for some reason been lost. If the film and record are started right, the synchronism will ordinarily be maintained throughout the entire picture, because the turntable shaft 31 and projector shaft ii? are geared to the common 50' driving motor it, and further because the pickup stylus can not jump sideways out of the sound groove. Nevertheless, there is sometimes need for resynchronization during the run of the picture.

as when the original length of film has been shortsued in the mending oi a break. It is important to notice that the resynchronining omration takes place without interruption of the picture. The volume or reproduction is controlled to suit the hearers by turning the knob 208 one way or the other. I, When it is desired to connect a radio set to loudspeaker so, the operator first opens either one of the switches E30 and ldfi to disconnect the motor it, and. then he turns the knob 201 to the Radio position. Instead of operating the motor switch I39 by hand independently of the push buttons I63, I64 and I65, I may so connect the switch to these buttons that the operation of any button automatically closes the motorswitch after the associated electromagnet H2, I I3 or H4 has been energized. In that case no separate motor switch is needed on panel l5.

Figs. 10-14 show a modified form of mounting and driving connections for the phonograph pickup H. In this instance the pickup arm 2l2 is mounted for slidable movement along a fixed rod 2l3 topropel the stylus point laterally across the record at the correct speed. The rod H3 is supported between a pair of posts or brackets 2l4 mounted on top board 34 of the cabinet. The brackets 2 l4 also support a rotary screw shaft 2 l5 which carries at one end a gear 2l6 covered by a housing 2I'I. Below the top board 34 is a shaft 2 [8 supported in brackets 2!!! which depend from the underside of the top board. One end of shaft 2l8 carries a gear 220, and the other end carries a bevel gear 22L The gear 220 is connected to gear 2| 6 on screw shaft 2l5 through an interposed pinion 222 which is mounted on a shaft or pin 223 in an opening 224 of top board 34. The bevel gear 22| on shaft 2l8 meshes with a bevel gear 225 on a shaft 226 supported in brackets 22'! from the undersideof top board 34. The bevel gear 38 on turntable shaft 31 meshes with a bevel gear 228 on shaft 226, whereby the movements of shaft 31 are transmitted to shaft 2H! and through gears 220-222-416 to the screw shaft 2|5. The pickup arm 2l2 terminates in a rear extension 229 (see Figs. 13 and 14) which is provided with screwthreads 230 adapted to engage the screwthreads of shaft 2l5. The screwthreads 230 of arm 2l2 are in a cylindrical recess 23l which does not cover more than half a ci cumference, so that the extension 229 can easily be moved into and out of operative engagement with the rotary screw shaft 2 l 5. The pickup arm 2 l2 can be swung back on rod 2 i3 into the dotted line position 2l2. A rod 232 mounted between the brackets 2 forms a stop for the rearward movement of arm 2l2, as will be clear from Figs. 11 and 13.

Still referring to Figs. -14, the transmission connections between the vertical turntable shaft 31 and the horizontal pickup arm 2l2, including the pitch of the screwthreads on shaft 245 and extension 229, are so calculated that the stylus point of pickup H is propelled at the correct speed across a. rotating record on turntable 36. It is assumed that the turntable shaft 31 in Figs. 10 and 11 is operated by the electric motor 16 in the manner described in connection with Fig. 5, and what has heretofore been said about the synchronism between sound and picture is applicable to the movements of the pickup stylus in Figs. 10-14. As long as the screwthreads 230 on pickup arm 2l2 are in engagement with screw shaft 2l5, the stylus of pickup TI is positively held in the record groove to insure synchronism between sound and picture. No lateral movement or free play of arm 2l2 is possible, because the weight of the arm holds the screwthreads of extension 229 pressed firmly against the screwthreads of shaft 2l5. When it is desired to move the arm 2 I 2 from final to starting position, it need only be lifted a little way to disconnect the screwthreads 230 from shaft 2|5, whereupon the arm is freely slidable on rod 2l3. I have assumed that the pickup H in Figs. 6 and 10 plays from edge to center of the record, but the transmission connections may also be arranged to propel the stylus in the opposite direction for playing records that start at the center.

Although I have shown and described certain specific constructions, I want it understood that my invention is not limited to the details set 5.

forth. The fundamental features of my invention may be embodied in various other forms, without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, some features of my invention may be used without others, and it is 10 manifest that the apparatus may be built on a large scale for the exhibition of standard-sized talking pictures in theaters.

I claim as my invention:

1. In talking movie apparatus, the combination of an electric motor, a turntable for supporting phonograph records, adjustable transmission connections between said motor and turntable for selectively operating the latter at one normal speed to play high-speed records or at another 20 normal speed to play low-speed records, either speed being definitely determined by said transmission connections and substantially constant for its particular type of record, said transmission connections being such that the difference between said two normal speeds is considerable as d stinguished from a slight difference, a motion picture projector having a film shaft driven by said motor in synchronism with either type of record on said turntable, the speed of said film shaft being unaffected by the adjustment of said transmission connections, and manually controllable synchronizing means for momentarily changing the speed of the film shaft without affecting the speed of said turntable.

2. In talking picture apparatus, in combination, a record support, a motion picture projector, power means operatively connected with said rec- 0rd support and said projector for driving the same simultaneously, means adjustable to cause said record support to be driven at two different definite speeds for playing two different types of records at two different normal speeds by operation of the power means at constant speed, either speed being definitely determined and substantially constant for its particular type of record, the difference between said two normal speeds being considerable as distinguished from a slight difference, and means for varying the relative rates of speed of the projector and the record support to synchronize the action of a picture being projected with the sound of a record being played at either of said two different normal speeds.

3. In talking picture apparatus, in combination, a record support, a motion picture projector, power means operatively connected with said record support and said projector for driving the same simultaneously, means adjustable to cause said record support to be driven at two different definite speeds for playing two different types of records at two different normal speeds by operation of the power means at constant speed, either speed being definitely determined and substantially constant for its particular type of record, the difference between said two normal speeds being considerable as distinguished from a slight difference, and means independent of said last named means for varying the relative rates of speed of the projector and the record support to synchronize the action of a picture being projected with the sound of a record being played at either of said two different normal speeds.

4. In talking picture apparatus, in combinaa power means operatively connected with said record support and said projector for driving the same simultaneously, means included in the connection between said power means and said record support adjustable to cause said record support to be driven at two different definite speeds for playing two different types of records at two different normal speeds by operation of the power means at constant speed, either speed being definitely determined and substantially constant for its particular type of record, the difference between said two normal speeds being considerable as distinguished from a slight difference, and means for varying the relative rates of speed of the projector and the record support to synchronize the action of a picture being projected with the sound of a record being played at either of said two different normal speeds.

5. In talking picture apparatus, in combination, a record support, a motion picture projector, power means operatively connected with said record support and said projector for driving the same simultaneously, means adjustable to cause said record support to be driven at two different definite speeds for playing two different types of records at two different normal speeds by operation of the power means at constant speed, either speed being definitely determined and substantially constant for its particular type of record, the difference between said two normal speeds being considerable as distinguished from a slight difference, and means included in the connection between said power means and said projector for varying the relative rates of speed of the projector and the record support to synchronize the action of a picture being projected with the sound of a record being played at either of said two different normal speeds.

6. In talking picture apparatus, in combination, a record support, a motion picture projector, power means operatively connected with said record support and said projector for driving the same simultaneously, means included in the connection between said power means and said record support adjustable to cause said record support to be driven at two different definite speeds for playing two different types of records at two different normal speeds by operation of the power means at constant speed, either speed being definitely determined and substantially constant for its particular type of record, the difference between said two normal speeds being considerable as distinguished from a slight difference, and means included in the connection between said power means and said projector for varying the relative rates of speed of the projector and the record support to synchronize the action of a picture being projected with the sound of a record being played at either of said two different speeds.

'7. In talking picture'apparatus, in combination, a record support, a motion picture projector, power means operatively connected with said record support and said projector for driving the same simultaneously, means adjustable to cause said record support to be driven at two different definite speeds for playing two different types of records at two different normal speeds by operation of the power means at constant speed, either speed being definitely determined and substantially-constant for its particular type of record, the difference between said two normal speeds being considerable as distinguished from a slight difference, and means for increasing and is driven at either of its two different normal speeds for synchronizing the action of a picture being projected with the sound of a record being played at either of said two different normal speeds.

8. In talking picture apparatus, in combination, a record support, a motion picture projector, power means operatively connected with said record'support and said projector for driving the same simultaneously, means adjustable to cause said record support to be driven at two different definite speeds for playing two different types of records at two different normal speeds of operation of the power means at constant speed, either speed being definitely determined and substantially constant for its particular type of record, the difference between said two, normal speeds being considerable as distinguished from a slight difference, means for varying the relative rates of speed of the projector and the record support to synchronize the action of a picture being projected with the sound of a record being played at either of said two different normal speeds, and means for operatively disconnecting the record support from said power means.

9. In talking picture apparatus, in combination, a record support, a motion picture projector, power means operatively connected with said record support and said projector for driving the same simultaneously, means adjustable to cause said record support to be driven at two different definite speeds for playing two different types of records at two different normal speeds of operation of the power means at constant speeds, either speed being definitely determined and substantially constant for its particular type of record, the difference between said two normal speeds being considerable as distinguished from 40 a slight difference, means for varying the relative rates of speed of the projector and the record support to synchronize the action of a picture being projected with the sound of a record being played at either of said two different normal speeds, and means for operatively disconnecting the projector from said power means.

10. In talking picture apparatus, in combination, a record support, a motion picture projector, power means operatively connected with said record support and said projector for driving the same simultaneously, means included in' the connection between said power means and said record support adjustable to cause said record support to be driven at two different definite speeds for playing two difierent types of records at two different normal speeds by operation of the power means at constant speed, either speed being definitely determined and substantially constant for its particular type of record, the difference between said two normal speeds being considerable as distinguished from a slight difference, means included in the connection between said power means and said projector for varying the relative rates of speed of the projector and the record support to synchronize the action of a picture being projected with the sound of a record being played at either of said two different speeds, and means included in the connection of the power means with the projector and the record support selectively operable to connect and disconnect either or both the projector and the record support with and from the power means.

11. In talking picture apparatus, in combina- 76 tion, a record support, a pickup to traverse a record disposed on said record support, a motion picture projector, power means operatively connected with said record support and said projector for driving the same simultaneously, means included in the connection between the power means and the record support adjustable to cause said record support to be driven at two different definite speeds for playing two different types of records at two different normal speeds by operation of the power means at constant speed, means for varying the relative rates of speed of the projector and the record support to synchronize the action of a. picture being projected with the sound of a record being played at either of said two different normal speeds, and means also included in the connection of the power means with the record support, between the latter and the means adjustable to cause driving of the record at two different normal speeds, for positively advancing the pickup across the record.

12. In talking picture apparatus, a cabinet, the front of said cabinet including in part a screen and in part means to shield from view devices disposed within the cabinet, a picture projector and a phonograph operating mechanism disposed within said cabinet behind said shield means and in such positions relative to each other and to the cabinet as to afford an unobstructed space for the passage of the light beam from the projector around the latter and the operating mechanism to the screen, means within the cabinet for directing the light beam from the projector around the same and said mechanism and through said space to the screen, and means in said cabinet for maintaining synchronism between the action of said picture projector and the action of said phonograph mechanism.

13. In combination, a pair of shafts, a main motor, a controllable mechanical driving connection between said main motor and one of said shafts, a'second motor, a driving connection between said second motor and the other shaft, and another driving connection between said main motor and the driving connection for the second shaft creating a driving relationship between said motors with respect to said second shaft.

14. In talking movie apparatus, the combination of a record-driving shaft, a film-driving shaft, an electric motor connected to both of said shafts for simultaneously operating the same at predetermined normal speeds, a second electric motor operable independently of the first motor, and a variable driving connection between said second motor and one of said shafts for varying 10 the speed of the latter without disconnecting it from the first motor and without affecting the speed of the other shaft.

15. In talking movie apparatus, the combination of a record-driving shaft, a film-driving shaft, an electric motor connected to both of said shafts for simultaneously operating the same at predetermined normal speeds, a second electric motor operable independently of the first motor, said second motor being reversible, a variable .20 driving connection between said second motor and the film shaft for varying the speed of the latter without disconnecting it from the first motor and without affecting the normal speed of the record shaft, and hand-operable switch means for selectively energizing the second motor to run in either direction, one way for increasing and the other way for decreasing the normal speed of the film shaft until the required syn-' chronism between the two shafts is established.

16. In an associated motion picture projector and phonograph mechanism, a motor-actuated drive shaft, a projector shaft having a, projector film driving sprocket, a manipulatable clutch device for connecting at will said projector shaft in driven relation to said drive shaft, a phonograph turn-table, a transmission means for driving said turn-table at one speed, a second transmission means for driving said turn-table at another speed, each transmission means having a clutch means for engaging the same in driven relation to said drive shaft, and a clutch shift mechanism common to each clutch'means and operative to release one clutch means when en- ADOLPH A. THOMAS. 

